Emergency Response Flashcards

A vessel receives a Coastal Warning that a tropical storm is approaching. Under US regulations, the DWO should FIRST:

Answer: Notify the master and plot the storm's track to determine safe routing

The master must be informed immediately so command decisions can be made; plotting the storm track allows informed routing decisions.

When a vessel loses steering in a narrow channel, which emergency measure should the DWO take FIRST to warn other traffic?

Answer: Broadcast a SECURITE message on VHF channel 16

A SECURITE broadcast on VHF 16 immediately warns all nearby traffic of the navigational hazard, allowing them to take avoiding action.

Under the ISM Code, what document must be completed and maintained following any emergency drill?

Answer: A drill record in the ship's official logbook

SOLAS and ISM Code require that all drills be recorded in the official logbook, including date, type of drill, and names of participants.

What is the primary purpose of a hydrostatic release unit (HRU) on an EPIRB?

Answer: To automatically release and activate the EPIRB when submerged to 1.5–4 meters

The HRU releases the EPIRB from its bracket and activates it automatically when submerged, ensuring activation even if the crew cannot manually deploy it.

During a fire in a vessel's galley involving cooking oil, the correct extinguishing agent is:

Answer: Wet chemical (Class K) extinguisher

Cooking oil fires are Class K (US) or Class F (international); wet chemical agents react with the oil to form a soap-like crust that smothers the fire.

A vessel's bilge alarm activates in the engine room. After notifying the engineer, the DWO should ALSO check:

Answer: Whether any overboard discharge valves are open and whether an oil sheen is visible around the vessel

Rising bilge water could indicate flooding or machinery failure, and any overboard discharge of oily water must be prevented under MARPOL regulations.

Under SOLAS Chapter III, a rescue boat must be capable of being launched and recovering a person from the water within how many minutes?

Answer: 5 minutes

SOLAS requires rescue boats to be capable of being launched and manned within 5 minutes to enable rapid recovery of persons from the water.